Burgundy 2006 Vintage Report

By Jasper Morris MW

After the very dry summer of 2005 there was plenty of much-needed rain and snow during a long and drawn out winter which didn't end until the end of March, although there was a final snow shower in the Hautes Côtes de Nuits as late as 30th May. 

The weather turned fine over the weekend of 4th to 5th June and became clear, hot and sunny for the following two weeks, which allowed flowering to take place in excellent conditions during the week of 13th June which suggested a harvest date of 22nd to 25th September.

July was hot and exceptionally dry and drought threatened towards the end of the month, but then on the 27th a major hailstorm struck and caused much damage in Chambolle and Gevrey (especially around Griottes-Chambertin and Chapelle-Chambertin). 

August was cooler and wetter than usual and more rain fell in the Côte de Beaune than the Côte de Nuits. At first this was welcome, but by the end of the month it was beginning to cause concerns about lack of ripeness and risk of rot.

Happily, as in the similar vintages of 2002 and 2004, the weather changed for the better in September (apart from a storm on Friday 15th) and the ripening process accelerated for the white grapes in particular. 

The starting date for the harvest (ban de vendanges) was set for 18th September but some of the best known growers, including Dominique Lafon and Arnaud Ente, asked for special permission to pick early because their vineyards were fully ready. Unusually, the ban de vendanges for Chablis, set at 16th September, was actually earlier than that of the Côte d'Or.